A Little Bit On Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town is located in England’s 4th tier, the EFL League Two, but has been punching above its weight class since the season began. In the area of North East Lincolnshire, England, there is a stadium with a capacity of just over nine thousand (9000) named Blundell Park. This is the home location of Grimsby Town. The Mariners started their campaign in EFL League Two off to a red-hot start, winning four out of the first five games. They have been scoring a bundle of goals with 12 in their first five.
Punching above their weight and promotion chasing, they took on Manchester United in the 2nd round of the Carabao Cup. Goals from Charles Vernam and former United academy player Tyrell Warren put them two-nil up on the Red Devils. The Premier League club, however, got back into the game through new signing Bryan Mbuemo and Harry Maguire sending it to penalties. The former missed his second attempt, which sent the 4th division side through.
In the 3rd round of the cup, they were paired with EFL Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday. A dominant performance in the 1st half didn’t reap any rewards as they went into the break goalless. At the beginning of the second half, Jaze Kabia slotted past Ethan Horvath to give Grimsby the lead and the eventual win. They have been drawn in the round of sixteen against Premier League side Brentford, so another giant-killing could be on the cards.
Obviously, a dip in form could and was expected, seeing them lose three of the last six games since the win over the Red Devils. Losses to League One Bradford City in the EFL Trophy, Bristol Rovers, and Barnet in the league, are not ideal, nor was a draw to Cambridge United, but this is a long season. So far, they have only played nine games in the league season and have amassed fifteen points, six points off league leaders Gillingham.
Led by top scorer Kabia, they are looking to get back on track with their charge for an EFL League One spot next season when Cheltenham Town come to town. The visitors sit at the bottom of the division with four points, which shows that this game should in theory be a straightforward result at Blundell Park.
Expectations?
What really makes them the team of the year so far is expectations. Last season, they didn’t make the playoffs, albeit two points off the promotion positions, but they had an issue conceding goals. This season, they are taking on teams that, realistically, on paper, they should be losing, to but at this point in time, they look like a promotion chaser that could have a magical cup run.
With the squad they have as well, there is a case that maybe they should not be able to compete on these fronts. Yes, they do have talented players like Darragh Burns, George McEachran, and Tyrell Warren, coupled with experienced players like Sam Lavelle, Clarke Oduor, and goalkeeper Christy Pym; their well-balanced squad could be the reason for their form this season. With an average age of 25.8 years old, they sit as one of the youngest squads in the league, showing that they are on the right track heading into the future.
Now, where could Grimsby Town even finish? Is this title undeserved with so much going on in the world of football? Currently, they are on track to score over 70 points this season, which would place them in the playoff positions based on the table last season. Grimsby look set to finish 4th in the league and have a wonderful chance of winning in the playoff knockout stage.
